BASF Supports the International Year of Chemistry 2011

- Initiative to encourage interest in chemistry

- Global experiment in BASF Kids' Labs

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Jan 27, 2011, 08:00 ET

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 2011 has been designated the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) by the United Nations, and BASF is supporting the initiative in many different ways. Due to begin officially in Paris on January 27 under the motto "Chemistry: Our life, our future," the IYC is intended among other things to encourage an interest in chemistry among young people and to promote a deeper understanding of chemistry's fundamental importance.

"Many of the products that make everyday life safer, easier and more enjoyable would not exist without chemistry. We want to raise people's awareness of the achievements of chemistry and the solutions that chemistry will provide to meet the challenges ahead. Chemistry is a vital science in dealing with important issues, such as ensuring energy, mobility, nutrition, construction and housing for a growing world population. Demonstrating that contribution is an IYC goal, and that is why BASF is supporting this initiative," said Dr. Hans-Ulrich Engel, member of the BASF Board of Executive Directors. "Our modern BASF products help for example to conserve resources and protect the environment."

IYC on All Continents

Numerous chemical companies, associations and institutions all over the world are participating, hosting discussions, competitions and other activities. Overall coordination and organization of overarching activities such as the IYC opening and closing ceremonies fall under the remit of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). A key IYC element is the "Global Experiment" designed by IUPAC for schoolchildren of all ages on all continents. The theme of the experiments is water quality and purification. The results will be published at the end of 2011 on an interactive electronic map of the world.

BASF Showcases Innovation and Invention

As a global sponsor and active participant, BASF will be involved both in the opening ceremony on January 27 and 28 and the finale to be celebrated in Brussels on December 1. The IYC officially kicks off in Germany on February 9, 2011 in Berlin. BASF is also celebrating the IYC with a host of national and international activities:

In BASF Kids' Labs youngsters can carry out experiments and discover the world of chemistry with a program of experiments all about water, including the "Global Experiment". BASF is hosting the "Water Loves Chemistry" experiment program for children aged 6 to 12 in permanent and mobile labs and in numerous cooperation projects with schools and science museums.
BASF will be welcoming visitors to its sites in many countries during numerous Open House days, where all interested parties can get a taste of chemistry. At BASF in Germany, this will take place September 24.
In Sao Paulo and at BASF's sites in Brazil, IYC coincides with the celebration of "100 Years of BASF in Brazil".
BASF is involved all over the world in exhibitions and collaborative projects with schools and science museums, organizing competitions and discussion and information events on the topic of chemistry.
In addition, BASF is planning numerous customer events pertaining to IYC at many of its locations worldwide.

The reason 2011 was chosen for the IYC is an event going back 100 years: Marie Curie – whose main achievements lay in radioactivity research – was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in November 1911. The IYC is embedded in the United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development 2005 – 2014 and highlights the importance of chemistry in ensuring sustainable development. Another IYC objective is to facilitate networking between educational institutions, the chemical industry, governments and non-government organizations to enable them to work together more effectively in the future.

Information for journalists:

More information about the International Year of Chemistry at BASF is available for download at www.basf.com/IYC.

IYC: http://www.chemistry2011.org/

IUPAC : http://www.iupac.org/

UNESCO : http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/

Link to BASF Brasilia website: www.basf.com.br

IYC photos are available at: www.basf.com/pressphoto-database/IYC

BASF - The Chemical Company.

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

SOURCE BASF